Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer delivers a keynote address at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show at The Venetian in Las Vegas. / Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

by Roger Yu, USA TODAY

by Roger Yu, USA TODAY

Steve Ballmer's ego may be taking a hit Friday as the stock market jumps on the news that he will step down as CEO of Microsoft, but it also made him and his colleagues instantly richer â?? at least on paper.

Ballmer owns about 333.3 million shares, or about $10.8 billion worth of the stock, according to Microsoft's latest proxy. With the stock up about 5.2% in late morning trading, he's about $560 million richer.

Bill Gates, Microsoft's chairman, owns about $14.9 billion worth of the stock, which means he's about $774 million better off today than yesterday.